Remember the best, forget the rest

"I give thanks to my God whenever I remember you." Philippians 1.3

What memories do you keep from people? Good or bad ? Paul says : "I like to keep good memories of others, to think of the pleasant moments we have spent, to remind myself of positive experiences."

You can choose what you will remember from the past.

Yet Paul had not had easy times in Philippi. Acts 16 tells us that he was illegally arrested, beaten, humiliated and thrown into jail - finally being asked to leave the city. Despite all this, he declared : "I give thanks to my God whenever I remember you."

Paul could have stopped on the negative side. He could have remembered the painful moments. He chose not to dwell on it, but rather on why he was grateful.

Perhaps a father, mother, or associate has hurt you in the past, and this injury remains in your memory. As a result, you do not appreciate the company of these people today. You continue to focus on what is bad and bad. Be rather grateful for the good of others. Pleasant memories are a choice. I can choose what I will remember from the past.

I am not saying that you have to deny the wrongs you have suffered or excuse the weaknesses of others. It's not healthy from a psychological point of view. But focus on what's good with these people and emphasize their strengths.

I hear brides say : "He's a good man, but ..." Every time you hear the little word "but", it's a sign that the focus is on the negative and not on the positive. Be grateful for what you have! Mr. Perfect does not exist ! I heard the same thought in the mouths of some husbands, but Madame Parfaite does not exist anymore !

If you want to appreciate others, you have to focus on their qualities and not on their flaws. With some people, this attitude requires a lot of creativity. But it is possible to find something good in everyone.

An action for today

Like Paul, remember the best in people. Forget the rest. It's not worth it.

Rick Warren

Source (The Thought of the Day)